Pella cuts won't affect Macomb plant

The continuing downturn in the housing market is forcing Pella Corp. to lay off seasonal - or flex - workers at its headquarters plant in Iowa.

Chuck Gysi

The continuing downturn in the housing market is forcing Pella Corp. to lay off seasonal - or flex - workers at its headquarters plant in Iowa.
The layoff news comes on the heels of an announcement earlier this month when Pella said it would close its Story City, Iowa, plant in March, leaving 244 workers without jobs. At that time, the company said it also would lay off 40 season workers in Pella, Iowa.
The job cuts won't affect the Pella plant in Macomb.
"Plans are to continue to operate our Macomb facility," company spokeswoman Kathy Krafka Harkema said.
The new round of 14 layoffs for Pella will take place Feb. 11. The Pella headquarters factory will employ about 3,600 workers after the layoffs.
"All sectors of the housing economy from lenders to Realtors to builders, suppliers and manufacturers are experiencing the impact of the declining housing economy," Harkema said in a prepared statement. "Flex’ or flexible positions are designed to help adjust to the seasonality of our cyclical business. which is influenced by the housing economy and favorable weather conditions."
Pella Corp. manufacturers and markets wood, fiberglass and vinyl windows and doors. The company also has factories in Sioux Center, Carroll and Shenandoah in Iowa.
After the layoffs, the company will employ about 5,300 people in Iowa and 9,800 nationally.
Contact Chuck Gysi at chuck@MacombJournal.com.